Comments related to both the…

Comments related to both the report and tag allocation process:

1. Glyphosate Effects on Wildlife:
A wealth of scientific information exits on the potential effects of glyphosate on a wide variety of species including birds, small and large mammals amphibians, insects, microbial organisms and others. many scientific and regulatory reviews have examined available data on the effects of glyphosate on wildlife. All of these consistently conclude that the use of glyphosate products in accordance with product labels does not pose a significant risk to wildlife species in terms of either direct acute or chronic toxicity or through various sub-chronic or indirect effects. Numerous field studies on this topic have been undertaken in Canadian forest ecosystems and in general indicate that typical uses of glyphosate products in forestry do not: generate plant monocultures; result in direct acute toxicity to birds, fish, aquatic invertebrates, small & large mammals or amphibians; or cause a reduction in soil microbial populations or significantly impair their function.

Short term reduction in numbers of some wildlife species are known to occur as an indirect result of changes in their optimal vegetative habitat. Such changes are typically quite transient, with numbers returning to normal levels within 2-3 years as vegetation and preferred habitat of food re-establishes on treated sites.

In the case with moose, they may avoid treated sites for a few years post-treatment while the supply of their favoured browse species is reduced, but then seek out those site preferentially in later years when their browse species re-establishes on the sites.

Forest management activities from harvest to silviculture, creates a variety of habitat types that at different seral stages should support healthy moose populations. Habitat is not the limiting factor in the decline of the moose populations. Uncontrolled hunting from poachers, first Nations & Metis, associated with winter ticks, bear and wolf predation all play a role in contributing to the issue.

2. Tag Allocation
At a minimum the protection of the moose heard should be driving force behind the allocation system and not maximizing revenues to provincial SPA.
Eliminate the calf hunt through out the entire province.
Establish a points system that allocates adult tags to long term hunters fairly.